Merry Christmas, from the Martins

What's up with...

Aspen

Aspen (8yo) loves recess more than any other subject at school (even though she's among the best students), and that makes Tim proud. She chooses to play in the percussion ensemble at church, and loves soccer and basketball. "Voracious" describes her reading, and she could probably tell you what it means, even if she couldn't pronounce it.

Oakley

Oakley (7yo) is so smart she's dangerous. When she sets her mind to something, she can do it. An endless string of successes with school, and soccer, and reading have led her to be absolutely fearless in everything. What's beautiful about Oakley, though, is that she still needs us. When Jenn left town for a few days in November, the hard headed Oakley missed her so much she cried every day.

Lindy

Lindy (4yo) is a full fledged person at this point... Babyhood is long gone. She's funny; she's fearless (except for deer in her bedroom), and she's convinced she can do anything her sisters can. Lindy loves her dance class and is having a great year with Miss Jenny, the same 4yo teacher her sisters had.

Jenn

A year ago, Jenn had started to experiment in the kitchen. Now? She's a bona fide cook and a legitimate food blogger. If you haven't, please take the time to check out her writing and her photography here. Most remarkably, she's managed to do all of this while keeping up with three very busy girls and their childish father.

Tim

Yeah, OK, the fact that I take most of the pictures means mine is a little out of date. This year's sporting obsession has been disc golf, a near daily lunchtime event at Rustici Software. Obviously, work and the freedoms it offers treat me unbelievably well. Soccer with the girls, hockey, golf, and basketball with the boys (OK, old men), and living with "the woman" (Jenn) are all things for which I'm grateful.

2009

January is cold, especially when you visit Wisconsin. Jenn earns newfound respect from Tim by running in 8° weather. On the ice. With yaktrax.

JAN

Tim's friend Cliff Batson comes to take pictures of everyone at Rustici Software. This results in there actually being a picture of Tim.

FEB

Oakley continues her kindergarten year of school, complete with a legendary teacher, Mrs. Gilliland. An important skill she demonstrates? Hula hoop domination.

MAR

A tradition unlike any other, the Nashville Masters. Tim's high school buddies come in for a golfing battle, and Tim walks away champion with a birdie on the 90th hole. The Champion's Dinner will be at Satco in April 2010.

APR

Lindy performs beautifully at her Kinderdance demonstration. Tim bows down before the brilliance of her teacher, Miss Donna.

MAY

June marks the beginning of our 3+ week voyage with two extended families. Duck, NC always includes Jenn and 40 of her closest relatives, see?! Our voyage also includes a ride on an elephant at the Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee.

JUN

Our gardens overflow! A farmer would laugh at us, but we're up to 12 apple trees, 2 pears, 3 plums, 17 blueberry bushes, 6 blackberries, and piles of tomatoes.

JUL

The summer of adventure continues... Five Martins plummet from a rope swing into the Harpeth River, with style.

AUG

A new level of soccer begins for Aspen & Oakley, and they even get to play a game together. Aspen manages to score a fantastic game-tying, last minute goal in one of the few games we don't record. Soccer really is a highlight of the fall for both girls.

SEP

A journey we started as a family some 15 months earlier is finished. Tim and the "three broomsticks" read all 7 Harry Potter books together. If you don't read aloud to your kids, you should start!

OCT

Jenn's mom Dianna undergoes surgery for cancer, and everything goes wonderfully. By December, Grammie is laughing away at Oakley's birthday celebration.

NOV

Jenn's food is featured on various recipe websites, resulting in a 500% increase in traffic to flamingobear.com. As the primary eater, Tim can confirm the attention is merited.

Merry Christmas